Prince Harry Joins Coldplay on Stage

Kensington Palace is a treasured national landmark and royal residence in the United Kingdom, but yesterday (June 28) Prince Harry threw open the gates to host the palace’s first-ever concert. The grandson of Queen Elizabeth II did so for a good cause (eradicating HIV/AIDS), and invited Coldplay to perform.

The concert was a benefit for Sentebale, the prince’s charity that raises awareness for the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. In his introduction, Harry described why this cause (an extension of the cause his late mother, Princess Diana, began) is so close to his heart.

“What we know is that HIV is a virus that thrives off silence and feeds on stigma,” said the prince before Coldplay’s set began. “Every single one of us has a responsibility to educate ourselves — to do what we can to speak out and stamp out the silence, ignorance, and fear that the virus needs to win.”

At the end of the show, Harry lent his voice to “Up&Up,” alongside Coldplay and the Basotho Youth Choir. See a clip of the royal evening below: